Fast tenter frame for multi-head embroidering machines



F. HOEV-ER I 3,482,536

I FAST TENTER FRAME FOR MULTI-HEAD EMBROIDERING MACHIfiES mod July 15, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 INVENTOR. Byfik; %erer- MM mm? Dec. 9, 1969 FAST TEN'I'ER FRAME FOR MULTI HEAD Filed July 15,1968

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INVENTOR. '77502 /6 aere/- BY United States Patent 3,482,536 FAST TENTER FRAME FOR MULTI-HEAD EMBROIDERING MACHINES Franz Hoever, Aldekerk, Germany, assignor to Maschinenfabrik Carl Zangs, Krefeld, Germany Filed July 15, 1968, Ser. No. 744,975 Claims priority, application Germany, Aug. 22, 1967, M 75,237 Int. Cl. Dc 9/04 U.S. Cl. 112-103 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Fast tenter frame, especially for use in connection with multi-head embroidering machines in which angular front and back and head side frame rails are interconnected to form the frame while the frame is adapted for being adjustably clamped to a pantograph device. The rails of the frame are stiffened by webs connected thereto and projecting horizontally away from the center of the frame. Clamp members are connected to the rear rail by quick acting clamping devices while clamp members for the front rail are connected to a support rail by further quick acting clamping devices. The support rail is adapted for being clamped to the frame above the front rail by quick acting clamping devices.

Other clamp members are reciprocable on the frame at the head sides and a further clamp device can be inserted into the middle of the frame for narrow fabrics.

The present invention relates to a fast tenter frame for multi-head embroidering machines, especially for braiding or trimming border embroidering machines with strut-free continuous frame rails on the longitudinal and head sides, and to a device by means of which the frame is adjustable relative to the connecting arms leading to the pantograph, for creating a continuous embroidery composed of interconnected individual motifs.

Fast tenter frames of the above-mentioned type are known in various forms. According to one form, the material to be embroidered is stretched or tensioned by means of needle bars and is held fast by a pressure member. The clamping elements carrying the pressure member are shaped in the form of housings in order to be able to receive the entire remaining length of the material to be embroidered. This results in a very heavy construction so that additional transverse struts have to be provided in the tenter frame which additional transverse struts make it necessary to offset the tenter frame. With strongly finished material or with fine fabrics, the needle bars cause holes which are very much undesired.

In order to avoid needle bars, according to another heretofore known structure the fast tenter frame is composed of pipes or tubes which are provided with slots on the inner surfaces which face each other, and the material to be embroidered is clamped into said slots by means of wedge rails. In spite of the heavy pipe construction, this fast tenter frame has an unfavorable moment of resistance against bending, especially in view of the arrangement of the slots. Moreover, due to the employment of wedge strips the tenter frame becomes awkward to 'handle.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a light tenter frame which in spite of a large clamping length will be highly resistant against bending and will be easy to handle for continuous embroidering on cut textile pieces or yard goods.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tenter frame as set forth in the preceding paragraph which is 3,482,536 Patented Dec. 9, 1969 free from transverse struts and which would have to be offset when embroidering continuous patterns.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of a tenter frame according to the invention in which for purposes of illustration annular sections have been broken out;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the tenter frame illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along the line IIIIII tlglOlglgl'h the rear longitudinal side of the frame of FIG- FIGURE 4 is a section along the line IV-IV through the front longitudinal side of the frame according to FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a section along the line VV through the head side of the frame of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 diagrammatically illustrates a section similar to that of Figure 5 with opened-up clamping bar;

FIGURE 7 is a top view of the central clamping means on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal section along the line VIIIVIII of FIGURE 7 of said central clamping means of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-section through said central clamping means along the line IX-IX of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 shows a longitudinal section similar to that of FIGURE 8 but with the clamping bars in opened condition; and

FIGURE 11 is a cross-section similar to that of FIG- URE 9 likewise with opened clamping bars.

The above-outlined objects have been realized by the tenter frame according to the invention which is characterized in that a rectangular base frame which is reinforced at its longitudinal sides by horizontally located strips, has arranged thereon clamping bars of an angleshaped cross-section, which are adapted by means of at least one fast clamping means to be actuated in such a manner that one edge of the clamping rails prior to the clamping smooths out the marginal portion of the goods to be clamped.

According to a preferred embodiment of the tenter frame according to the invention, the clamping bar is connected at the rear longitudinal side of the base frame in closed condition with one leg pointing downwardly connected to a plurality of fast clamping means, and on the inside of said leg is .provided with an elastic clamping liner.

According to a further feature of the invention, the clamping bar at the front longitudinal side of the base frame is by means of a plurality of fast clamping means arranged on a supporting bar which is detachably connected to the base frame. This greatly facilitates the insertion of the material, especially if yard goods with a residual length is involved. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting bar is placed on tentering pins of the base frame and by fast clamping means is clamped to each end. According to the invention, the supporting bar is angle-shaped in cross-section and is reinforced by a horizontal web bar.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the tenter frame in conformity with the invention, the clamping bar at the front longitudinal side of the base frame is in closed condition with one leg pointing upwardly connected to a plurality of fast clamping means and over its entire outer surface is provided with an elastic clamping lining.

The angle-shaped clamping bar on each head side of the base frame is in conformity with the invention pivotally arranged on a carriage displaceable by a fast clampingr'iieans and 'is adapted'by means of lateral bolts and against the thrust of a spring acting in opening direction adapted to be introduced into its clamping position and to be arrested in said position. The lateral bolts are expediently provided with an eccentrically designed end member and is rotatable in a bearing support for purposes of permitting an adjustment.

In order to allow the employment'of the tenter frame according to the invention also for embroideries of short length, according to a further feature of the present invention, it is suggested to divide the clamping bars at the longitudinal sides ofthe base frame and to insert a central clamping means in the center of the base frame. This design is particularly advantageous when the entire embroidering length is to be employed for embroidering bed sheets, whereas when the central embroidering head has been turned off, half the embroidering length is employed for embroidering the pillow cases pertaining thereto.

In conformity with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central clamping means is equipped with two clamping bars of angle-shaped cross-section which are pivotable about an axis parallel to the head sides of the base frame, and which are adapted by a slide with an inclined running surface to be placed in the clamping position and arrestable therein against the thrust of a double spring acting in the opening direction.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the tenter frame shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a base frame 1 comprising longitudinally extending T-rails 1a and head rails 1b transverse thereto. For purposes of increasing the moment of resistance, the T-rails 1a are provided with web rails 2, the front web rail 2 having bores for reducing the weight.

The rear T-rail 1a has by means of two fast clamping means 4 arranged thereon two clamping bars 3a of angleshaped cross-section. In' conformity with FIG. 3, one leg of the clamping bars 3a in closed condition of said bars points downwardly and has its inner surface provided with a clamping liner 6 of trapezoidal cross-section. The front rail 1a is provided with two clamping bars 3b. These clamping bars 3b are arranged on a supporting bar 8 by means of two pairs of fast clamping members 4. The supporting bar 8, in conformity with'FIG. 4, has an angle-shaped cross-section and for increasing its moment of resistance is provided with a web bar 11. The supporting bar 8 is placed upon the sintering pins 9 which are located at the ends of the front T-rail, and is clamped fast by means of fast clamping members 10. The clamping bars 3b which likewise have an angleshaped cross-section have in closed condition one leg pointing upwardly and are over their entire outer surface provided with a clamping lining 7 (see FIG. 4).

The head rails of the main frame 1 have each arranged thereon a carriage 12 which by means of a fast clamping member is displaceable and which carries clamping bars 3c of angle-shaped cross-section. These bars 30 are pivotable about an axis parallel to the head side. The clamping bars 3c are under the :thrustof a spring 14 acting in opening direction. The arrangement of said spring 14 is clearly evident from FIGS..5'and 6. Laterally of the clamping bars 3c, stationary bolts 13 are arranged onbearing supports 15. When the carriage 12 carrying the clamping'bar 3c is displaced, said bolts 13 bring about a closing of the clampingbars 3c. In order to set the time and the. magnitude of the force for the closing 'movement, the bolts 13 have eccentric end memhas "13a which can be adjusted by turning the bolt 13 design a da r a nt at i ,fa .clamp x s mea .1 is evident from FIGS. 1 and 3.

The clamping of the goods to be embroidered is effected in the following manner: When the supporting bar 8 is taken off and the clamping bars 3a and 3c are open, one marginal portionof the material to be clamped is placed upon the rear'rail 1a of 'the tenter frame and is clamped by actuation of the fast clamping members 4. During the tilting movement of the-clamping bars 3a, the lower edge thereof passes over the material and pulls the latter taut and straight in the direction toward -'the rear web bar 2. Subsequently, the material is placed over the front T-rail 1a, and the supporting'rail 8, together with the clamping bars 3b, is placed upon the centering pins 9 and connected to the b'ase'frame 1 by fast clamping means 10. The remaining length of the material passes over front T-r'ail 1a and beneath clamping bars 3b and then between the front web rail 2 and the ,web rail 11 of the supporting rail Sbecause the centering pins 9 and the fast clamping means 10-are located outside the mate.- rial. Thereupon, the .opened. clamping-bars 3b are, by means of the fast clamping means, 4, titlted downwardly whereby likewise a smoothening of the marginal portion of the material in the direction toward the web bar 2.is effected, so that the marginal area of the material, is clamped in smoothly and safely. Before .or after this clamping operation, the clamping bars 3c at the head side are closed by actuation of the fast clamping means 5. A lso in this instance, due to the tilting moyementof the angleshaped clamping bars 30 and due to the displacement of the carriage 12 a smoothing of the marginal portion of the material is assured prior to the clamping step proper.

If it is desired that the multi-head embroiderymachine work with half the embroidering stroke a..central clamping member 20 may be interposed between the two T-rails of the base frame 1. The details of the clamping member 20 are illustrated in FIGS. 7-11.

This-clamping means-20 comprises two angle-shaped clamping bars 21 which are tiltable about axes parallel to the head sides of the base frame 1. The clamping bars 21 are under the influence of the thrust of a double spring 22 acting in opening direction, as is particularly clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 11-. The central portion of the clamping bars 21 is provided with an extension 21a cooperating with an inclined surfaces 23a of a slide 23 which is adjustable by means of a pull rod 24. When the pullrod 24 is pulled out in conformity with FIG. 10, the two clamping bars 21 are pressed upwardly by the double spring 22 so that they free a clamping lining 25 on the bottom ofthe central clamping means.-If, however, the pull-rod 24 is displaced inwardly, the surface 23a'extends below the extensions 21a of the clamping bars 21 and in the way tilts the camping bars 21 into 'the clamping position clearly shown in FIG. 9.

As will be evident from the above, the present invention provides for a tenter frame whichis simple in design and light in construction and makes possible a simple clamping of the goods to be embroidered, while means are provided for automatically smoothing out themarginal areas of the goods. i

It is, of course, to be understood, that thepresent invention is, by no means, limited to the particular con.- struction shown in thev drawings.

What is claimed is; 4 V

1. A fast tenter frame ,for multi-head embroidery machines, especially border embroidering comprising a strut free rectangular frame having continuous frame rails along the length at thefront and rear and-at the, head sides, means for adjustably connecting said frame :to'pan- .tograph mechanism,-each of saidtfront and rear frame rails comprising angular members, horizontal stiffening webs connected to said 'a'ngular membersand projecting outwardly of'the fra'r'n'e, clamp means" in the 'form' of straight elongated members of angular-cross section disposed along the front and back and at the head sides of said frame and each moveable from open fabric releasing position to closed fabric clamping position, each said clamp member being operable to engage the fabric adjacent the region of the fabric to be clamped thereby and on the side of said region toward the center of 'said frame prior to the respective clamp member reaching fabric clamping position for smoothing out the fabric, said clamping members extending along substantially the entire periphery of said frame.

2. A fast tenter frame according to claim 1 in which the said clamp means along the rear of said frame clamps the fabric against the adjacent rear frame rail, the said clamping means when in closed position having one leg thereof extending vertically downwardly adjacent the inner edge of the adjacent rear frame rail, a resilient. liner means on the side of the said leg facing the said rear frame rail for clamping the fabric to the said rear frame rail, and a plurality of quick operating clamp devices connecting the said clamping member to said adjacent rear frame rail. 7

3. A fast tenter frame according to claim 1, which includes a support rail overlying and detachable from the front frame rail of the frame so that fabric clamped to the rear frame rail can be drawn over said front frame rail, said clamping means for the front of the frame being carried by said support rail, and quick operating clamp devices connected between said support rail and the said clamping means carried thereby for moving the said clamping means between open and closed positions@ 4. A fast tenter frame according to claim 3 in which cooperating elements of pin and socket means are carried by said frame and said support rail for holding said support rail in place on said front frame rail when mounted thereon, and quick operating clamp devices for clamping said support rail to said frame.

5. A fast tenter frame according to claim 4 in which said support rail is angular in cross section, and a stiffening web secured to said support rail and projecting horizontally therefrom in a direction away from the center of said frame.

6. A fast tenter frame according to claim 3 in which said clamping means for the front of said frame when in closed position has one leg thereof pointing vertically upwardly and adjacent the inner edge of the front frame rail, the side of the said leg facing said front frame rail having elastic clamping material thereon to clamp the fabric to said front frame rail.

7. A fast tenter frame according to claim 1 which includes carriages moveably supported by said frame at the head sides thereof, said clamping means for the head sides of said frame being pivotally connected to the respective carriages, quick acting clamp devices connected between said frame and carriages for moving said carriages toward and away from the center of the frame, and cam means on the frame operable to engage the clamping means on said carriages and move the clamping means to closed position in response to outward movement of said carriages on said frame.

8. A fast tenter frame according to claim 7 in which said cam means are in the form of bolts with eccentric end portions, said end portions engaging said clamping means, and means supporting said bolts on said frame for angular adjustment of the bolts on their axes.

9. A fast tenter frame according to claim 1 in which the said clamping means at the rear and front of said frame are in the form of two clamp members each in end to end relation and each clamp member extending about half the length of said frame, and an intermediate clamping mechanism adapted for being inserted in about the middle of the length of said frame and having clamp elements on opposite sides thereof parallel to the clamp means at the head sides of said frame.

10. A fast tenter frame according to claim 9 in which said clamping elements are pivoted to said clamping mechanism in spaced parallel relation with inner end portions extending toward each other, spring means urging said clamping elements toward open position, and a cam slide reciprocable on said clamping mechanism, and operable when reciprocated in one direction to cam said clamping elements into closed clamping position and when reciprocated in the opposite direction to release said clamping elements to the influence of said spring means.

11. A fast tenter frame according to claim 10 in which said clamping elements when moving in closing direction engage the fabric being clamped and smooth the fabric prior to said clamping thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,180,059 11/1939 Kandle 38-1022 2,896,562 7/1959 Scheibel et al. 112-103 3,168,882 2/1965 Scholl et a1. 112-103 X FOREIGN PATENTS 888,574 1/1962 Great Britain. 462,302 11/1913 France. 1,188,149 3/1959 France.

ALFRED R. GUEST, Primary Examiner 

